Jan. 24, 2011
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By Marc Daniels
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - It is a busy time for Knight Nation these days. Football heads down the stretch towards Signing Day. Men's basketball is trying to fight through a slump on the court. Baseball and softball get set to begin new seasons. And there are many other topics on the minds of faithful black and gold supporters. So, with many questions, let's get some answers:
Who will be UCF's next defensive coordinator?
I have no idea. How is that for expert insight? Seriously, George O'Leary is not saying anything about his list of candidates. But keep in mind, coach may have had an idea before it became public that he needed to fill the position. But the thought is O'Leary already has his guy and is waiting for Signing Day to come and go and make his announcement.
How did Bruce Miller and Jah Reid do during the week of the East-West Shrine Game?
NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock was on my radio show last week and here is what he said about Miller: "I was talking with several general managers and everyone loves the kid. He will get drafted and be asked to play special teams and then get an opportunity to prove he can play either end or linebacker. But there is no question the guy can play." Playing special teams has never been a problem for Miller. He did for four years at UCF. As for Reid, two observers at practices during the week told me Jah handled himself well. Tackles of his size are tough to find and Reid likely opened some eyes last week.
What's wrong with Donnie Jones' basketball team?
Everything went UCF's way the first two months of the season. Every bounce went their way. Every shot went in late in games. Every player played with a high-level of confidence. In wins over USF, Florida, Miami, UMass and Princeton UCF played with an attitude and had no panic in key situations. When conference play came around, UCF found opponents had scouted them very well and everyone wanted to beat an unbeaten and ranked team. Defenses took away Marcus Jordan's favorite play and suddenly open paths to the basket were not there. Keith Clanton was pushed away from the basket and that made things tougher for him. With defensive struggles, Donnie Jones had to abandon his full-court press and teams had plenty of time to get into their offense as opposed to before when the press changed all that. So now what? UCF has to find its bite. It may actually help to be off the radar. At 1-4 in league play, teams may not look at UCF the same way they did when they were 14-0. But players must make plays and UCF needs to translate its attitude in practice on to the court for games.
How good will UCF baseball be this season?
UCF was good last season. The Knights went 33-22 and made tremendous strides last year. UCF also plays in one of the best conferences in the country and found itself trying to match pitching arms with teams deeper in starters and that put UCF in the tough position weekend after weekend of trying to outhit opponents and that formula can be tough in Conference USA. There are plenty of bats coming back for Terry Rooney. Shortstop Darnell Sweeney is one of the top players in the league. Catcher Beau Taylor, infielder/DH Chris Taladay and DH/utility man Ryan Breen all had big offensive years in 2010. First baseman Jonathan Griffin hit 13 homers last season and could easily hit 20 this campaign. The success of the season though will likely fall on the pitching staff. Rooney recruited heavily in this area and believes he has some arms that can be difference makers in 6-foot-6 right hander Ray Hanson, a junior-college transfer, Danny Winkler, another JUCO product and talented freshman righty Ben Lively. The schedule features a weekend trip to Tallahassee to face FSU and has games with Florida and Miami. C-USA is once again loaded but the Knights should be poised to make the move up the standings.
Knights notes and more: Speaking of baseball, do not miss UCF Baseball FanFest this Saturday at 5:30 p.m. at the Venue before the men's basketball game against UAB. Coach Rooney previews the season and it's a great chance to learn more about the upcoming year...Can't say enough about the attendance at the basketball games this season. UCF fans have been amazing. Over 9,000 packed the arena for the Rice game last Saturday. Don't think that doesn't upset Donnie Jones that his team did not deliver a win. But the team needs you every game and hopefully all of you and more will fill the place for UAB this Saturday... By the way, at the current pace of UCF student support, over 3,000 a game, that figure will likely be better the overall attendance of many home games for a certain school to the west who has hosted top-10 teams this season before crowds of less than 4,000...Someone asked me what the new television deal for Texas with ESPN means for UCF. I said it means we UCF fans can watch a lot more Texas games on ESPN...Final thought: My neighbor five houses down was walking his two little dogs this past cold Sunday morning. As I walked outside my house his dogs were...well...you know. He saw what I saw and truly said the following: "I didn't bring a plastic bag this morning, but I will come back later and clean it up." Back later has not happened yet.
Marc Daniels' From the Press Box runs several times per month on UCFAthletics.com. Listen to Marc during UCF football, men's basketball and baseball radio broadcasts on the UCF Sports Network. Each weekday, Marc hosts The Beat of Sports on ESPN Radio 1080.